Gerrard demands new Rodgers deal

ESPN staff

March 18, 2014

ESPN FC: Liverpool have a chance

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has urged the club's owners to secure the services of manager Brendan Rodgers on a new long-term contract.

Rodgers confirmed last week that he has yet to discuss a fresh Anfield contract, even though his current deal with the club is set to run out in the summer of 2015 and speculation has been mounting that the Irish tactician may be lured away from the club.

Reports in Britain and Irish newspapers last weekend suggested Rodgers was one of the names who may be in the frame to take over at Barcelona if that vacancy was to arise any time soon, though Barca officials insist they are not looking to change current coach Tata Martino.

Now Gerrard has suggested Liverpool owner John W Henry his associates based in Boston should pin Rodgers down to a new deal after his hugely successful second as Liverpool manager hit a peak with Sunday's 3-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"I am absolutely delighted he is here and I just hope that there is a lot of movement in Boston now, because they have got to get him signed up as soon as possible," Gerrard said. "I'm sure the rest of the players would echo what I am saying.

"When players are in this situation with a year to go and you want to keep hold of them so desperately, then the club reacts really quickly and gets it sorted. For me, I think he deserves a very long contract here and he is perfect for this club.

"I have been absolutely blown away by his [training] sessions, his tactics and his maturity in the job and I am learning from him every single day. When you get a bit older as a player you look to see how the manager does certain things and he has been fantastic for me."

Rodgers was a surprise choice to take over from Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool in the summer of 2012 and after a period of rebuilding, he has guided the club to their most credible title challenge in recent memory this season.

The Liverpool manager has made it clear that he is eager to remain at the club for as long as possible and has insisted talks over his new contract are not at the top of his agenda while he focuses on the club's increasingly promising challenge for the Premier League title.